Inflating apparatus



Nov. 10, 1931.

A. A. T. cREsER 1,831,379

INFLATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 26. 1929 Patented Nov. 10, 1931 PATENT- OFFICE ALFRED AUGUSTUS THOMAS Genesis, or RICHMOND, ENGLAND INFLATING APIARATUS Application fil ed. December 26, 1929, Serial No. 416,557, and in Great Britain May 30, 1929.

This invention has reference to apparatus for the inflation of pneumatic tires and for similar purposes.

The invention has for its main object to Q provide an improved apparatus of the kind in which the pumping cylinder is reciprocat-ed upon the exterior of a plunger-like piston having a limited angular movement upon the supporting frame;

Another object is to provide an inflating apparatus in which the piston is formed as a hollow plunger enclosing a fine-bore exit pipe which delivers the compressed air in a steady non-pulsating flow from the reservoir formed by the interior of the piston plunger.

A further object is to provide an inflating apparatus in which the compressed air'op- 'erates a relief valve adapted to give an audible signal when the desired pressure is reached, the air pressure being preferably transmitted directly from the tire itself to the relief valve by the use of a known form of tire connection which holds open the tire valve so long as' the delivery tube from the inflating apparatus is attached thereo.

Upon the accompanying drawings illustrating the present invention, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation, showing the parts in the closed up position. Figure 2 is an elevation showing the'parts ready for operation. Figure 3 is an end View from the front of the apparatus, while Figure 4; is a view from the opposite end, partly in section. Figure 5 is a detail view of a seating for the relief valve. Figure 6 is a detail view showing the adjustable mounting of the pressure indicating lever.

The angularly cranked levers a are pivoted at bto the carrier frame 0 and provided in theusual manner with a pedal plate (Z. The head 6 of pumping cylinder 6 is pivoted on a cross head (4 arranged between the levers a. The cross head a is provided with grooved rollers a in which bear spring-arms 8 serving to return the cylinder 6 to its outer position, Figure 2. A clip t pivoted on the carrier frame 0 is provided to hold the parts closed in the position of Figure 1, said clip 25 engaging a pin 29 on the pedal plate d (see Figures 3 and 4).

The cylinder head 6 is provided with a non-return inlet valpe 6 whereby air may be drawn into the cylinder on the outward stroke. Thecylinder e is reciprocated on the outside of a hollow piston-plunger f of substantial capacity, and isprovided at its end. remote from the valve 0 with a collar 6 screwed upon the cylinder and inturned to bear upon. the tubular piston plunger f.

The head f of the piston-plunger is pro vided with a non-return valve which allows air compressed in pumping cylinder e to be forced into the hollow piston plunger A stop tube g is arranged between the exterior of the piston plunger f and the inside of the cylinder 6 so thatthe outward movement of the cylinder 6 will be limited by the collar 6 making contact with the end of the stop tube 9. An annular rubber washer g mounted on the member 7 limits and cushions the movement of the cylinder 6 in the oppo-' site direction.

At the inner end of the piston plunger f is the approximately semicircular or P- shaped base plate h which is provided on its front face with a circular boss h secured in side the end of the piston and also with a facing h serving to buttress the rubber wash-- er 9 This plate h is pivoted at h 'to the carrier frame 0 to allow of slight angular movement of the piston-plunger f during the reciprocating movement of the cylinder 0 effected by depressing the levers (1. Except for this slight angular movement the piston plunger f remains always fixed 1n position. The base plate It is shown provlded with a stiffening web or rib h.

Arranged within the hollow piston is a coiled pipe i of fine bore, and made for example of copper, open at its end i to receivev the air forced into the piston f by cylinder 0 and at its other end connected with .a main passage j hereafter mentioned, in such a way that the air delivered into chamber flows out through exit pipe 2 in a non-pulsating manner into passage 7'. The fine-bore exlt pipe smooths out the fluctuations of pressure ofthe air forced into the'hollow pistonplunger through the non-return valve f and deliversthe'air under pressure at a constant,

steady rate of flow, without appreciable pulsations. The coils of pipe i nearest the head 7 are preferably larger indiameter and bear against the wall of the piston-plunger to steady the pipe 2' in its position.

The base plate It is bored diametrically as at if, Figure 4. It is also provided with the main passage j, and with branch passage 70 and conduit Z for the purposes hereafter mentioned. Rotatably mounted in the plate It upon a pin 7&3 is a pinion m engaging toothed rack m formed on a socket n movable longitudinally in the bore If. This socket 01 contains a spring at which is mounted on a steady pin a and presses a ball a on a valve seating a The steady pin a is conveniently carried by a plug it screwed into the opposite end of bore if. The valve seatin n is formed in a plug a screwed into the core k and is preferably cupped as shownin Figure 5, to fit the spherical surface of the ball a The lower end of passage is is in constant communication with a groove 12 around the plug a through a cylindrical gauze and thence with a passage a arranged behind the seating n. The pinion m is rotatable by a lever 0 which in conjunction with a scale 0 forms a pressure indicator, showing clearly the amount of compression of the spring n and therefore the pressure at which the relief valve n will lift. The lever 0 is adj ustably secured on the pinion m by forming the said lever 0 with a looped boss 0 having tooth-like projections 0 adapted to engage selected teeth of pinion m, so that the position of lever 0 relatively to pinion m can be varied. It will be noted from Figure 1, that lever 0 is held against the base plate It by a spring p pressing a washer 32 against the lever 0, this spring p being mounted on pivot pin in and enclosed in a casing 19 The upper end of passage k leads to an externalnipple or connection 7* (Figure 3) for one end of a flexible pipe r (see Figure 2) which is capable of being attached to the inflating valve of the tire or the like by means of a coupling device of the known kind (not illustrated) which so-long as it is connected, holds the tire or other valve open.

Thus when the coupling device is attached to a tire-inflating valve, the pressure in passage ]c, groove n and passage a will be the same as that existing in the tire, since there is no valve in the length of the fine bore exit pipe 2' nor between the latter and the flexible pipe r Conduit Z previously mentioned leads from the interior of the bore 71, beyond the relief valve n toan audible warning device such as a whistle g screwed into the base plate h. The pressure at which the whistle is to sound is determined by moving the lever 0 to the appropriate figure on the scale 0 The ball a is thus held on its seating by a pressure of spring 12, which varies according to the particular position of the rack-fitted socket n as set by lever 0.

vVhen, due to operation of the pumping cylinder 6 by levers a, air under pressure passes from cylinder 6 into hollow piston f and thence through exit pipe 2', open at both ends, into passages j and 70, along the flexible pipe 1 and into the tire, and also through V groove 01 and chamber a the pressure on the ball valve 12, will be the same as that passing into the tire. As soon as the desired pressure has been reached in the tire, any further pressure of air will overcome the spring a and lift the ball a from its seating, so that the air escaping through the seating 01 will enter bore 7& and passage Z and operate the whistle This whistle will sound until. pumping ceases or until the coupling on the pipe 1' is disconnected from the tire valve.

' What I claim is 1. In an inflating apparatus in combination, comprising an outer pumping cylinder, a hollow piston provided with a head at one end, a base plate secured to the other end of said piston, said outer cylinder being movable telescopically upon said piston, operat 111 means for reciprocating said cylinder upon said piston, said base plate being formed with a main discharge passage, a non-return valve in the head of said piston, and a fine bore exit leading from the interior of said piston to the main passage in said base plate.

2. In an inflating apparatus, in combination, a longitudinally displaceable pumping cylinder, a head to said cylinder, a piston associated with said cylinder, said piston externally engaged by said cylinder, a head atone end of said piston, a base plate closing said piston at the end remote from the head of the piston, said base plate being formed with a main discharge passage, a non-return valve inthehead of said cylinder, a nonreturn valve in the head of said piston, and a line bore exit pipe of considerable length located within said piston and delivering compressed air from the interior of saidpiston to said main discharge passage in said base plate.

3. In an inflating apparatus, in combina-' tion, a tubular piston, a head at one end of said piston, a pumping cylinder arranged outside said piston and adaptedto be reciprocated thereon, a base plate closing said piston at the end remote from the piston head, a nonreturn intake valve leading to the interior of said cylinder, a non-return valve in said piston head, and an open-ended fine bore exit pipe secured in position within said piston and connected with a discharge passage through said base plate.

4. In an inflating apparatus, in combination, an outer pumping cylinder, an inner piston provided at one end with a head and at the other end with a base plate, a head to the outer end of said cylinder, a non-reill) all)

turn valve in said cylinder head, an annular collar secured to the inner end of said cylinder and adapted to bear upon the exterior of said piston, said cylinder being reciprocable outside said piston, a stop tube secured to the head of said piston and extending along externallv of said piston in the path of said annular collar, said base plate including a main discharge passage, anon-return valve in said piston head, and an open-ended exit tube of line bore arranged in coils Within said piston and connected with said discharge passage in the base plate.

5. In an inflating apparatus, in combination. a tubularpiston, ahead at one end of said piston, a pumpingcylinder arranged outside said piston and adapted to be reciprocated thereon, a base plate closing said piston at the end remote from the piston head, a non-return intake valve leading to the interior of said cylinder, a non-return valve in said piston head, said base plate being formed with a discharge passage and a. fine bore exit pipe mounted within said piston, saidpipe having one end open and the other end connected withsaid discharge passage, said exit pipe being coiled inside said piston and having some of its coils bearing against the inner wall of the piston.

6. In an inflating apparatus, in combination, a piston. a head at one end of said piston, a pumping cylinder arranged outside said piston and. adapted to be reciprocated thereon, a base plate closing said piston at the end remote from the piston head, a carrier frame, a transverse pivot connecting said base plate to said carrier frame, a non-return intake valve leading to "the interior of said cylinder, a non-return valve in said piston head, a delivery passage through said base plate, and an open ended fine bore'exit pipe secured within said piston and connected with said delivery passage.

7. In an inflating apparatus, in combination, a piston, a piston head, a pumping cylinder arranged outside said piston and adapted to be reciprocated thereon, a base plate closing said piston at the end remote from the piston head, a non-return intake valve leading to the interior of said cylinder, a nonieturn valve in said piston head, a delivery passage through said base plate, an audible warning device operated by air pressure, a conduit leading to said warning device, said delivery passage comprising branches one leading to a discharge outlet for the compressed air and another leading to said conduit leading to the Warning device and an open-ended fine bore exit pipe secured within said piston and connected with the said delivery passage.

8. In an inflating apparatus, in combination, a piston, a piston head, a pumping cylinder arranged outside said piston and adapted to be reciprocated thereon, a base the opening of said relief valve, a lever a non-return valve in said piston-head, a discharge passage through said 'base plate, a pressure relief valve in communication with said discharge passage, an adjustable spring controlling said relief valve, an audible warning device operated by compressed air upon pl?- oted upon said base plate and. by its movement adapted to adjust the pressure of said spring, and an open-ended fine bore exit pipe secured within said piston and connected- With the said discharge passage.

9. In an inflating apparatus, in combiner tion, a piston, a piston-head, a pumping cylinder arranged outside said piston and adapted to be reciproca-ted thereon, a base plate closing said piston at the end remote from the piston head, a non-return intake valve leading to the interior of said cylinder. at

non-return valve in said piston head, a discharge passage through said base plate, an

open-ended fine-bore exit pipe secured with in said piston and connected with the said discharge passage, pressure relief valve in communication with said discharge passage,

an adjustable spring controlling said relief valve, an audible warning device operated by compressed air upon the unseating of said relief valve against the action of said spring, a lever pivoted upon said base plate and by its movement adapted to adjust the pressure of said spring controlling said relief valve, said base plate-having a transverse bore, a socket slidable in. said bore and acting upon said spring, a, rack formed upon said socket,

a toothed pinion engaging said rack and an ad ustable connection between said lever and the teeth of said opinion.

10. In an lIlfiitillIlg apparatus, 1n combination, a piston, a piston head, a pumping cyl.-'

inder arranged outside said piston and adapted to be reciprocated thereon, a base plate closing said piston at the end remote from the,

piston head, a. non-return intake valve lead;

ing to the interior of said cylinder, a. non-re turn valve in said piston. head, a: discharge passage through said base plate, an openended fine-bore exit pipe secured within said piston and connected with the said discharge passage, a. pressure relief valve incommunication with saiddischarge passage, an adj us;-

able spring controlling said relietvalve, an

audible warning device operated by compressed air upon the opening of said relief valve, a lever pivoted upon .said base plate and by its movement adapted to adjust the pressure of the adjustable spring, a'spring mounted around the pivot of'said lever and holding said lever against said base plate. and a casing enclosing said last mentioned sprin 11.111 an inflating apparatus, in combinm lib lili

tion, a carrier plate, apiston, a headtitted to one end of said piston, a pun1ping-cylin der arranged outside said piston and adapted'to be reciprocated thereon, ahead to said cylinder, operating levers pivoted on said carrier plate, across head arranged between said operating levers, said cylinder head pivoted on said cross head, springs for returning said levers upon their inoperative stroke, rollers upon said cross head against whicn the lever-returning springs bear, a base plate closing said piston at the end remote i'romv the piston head, a. non-return intake valve IGZLCIHIO' to the interior of said c *linder a D a I I i non-return valve in said piston head, a delivery passagethrough said base plate, and an open-ended, fine-bore exit pipe secured within said piston and connected with the said delivery passage.

12. In aninflating apparatus, in combination, an outer pumping cylinder, an inner piston provided at one end with a head and at the other end with a base plate, a head to the outer end of said cylnder, a nonreturn valve in said cylinder head, an annular collar secured to the inner end of said cylinder and inturned to bear upon the exterior of said piston, said cylinder being re ciprocable outside said piston, an external stop tube secured to the head of said. piston and extending along said piston in the path of said annular collar, a rubber cushioning washer around said piston adjacentto said base plate, with which said collar can make contact, a main delivery passage in said base plate, a non-return valve in said piston head,

and an open-ended exit tube of line bore arranged in coils withln the piston and connected with said delivery passage-in the base plate. p I

13. In a tire-inflating apparatus the combination of a headed pumping cylinder, an

inner piston associated with said cylinder,

non-return intake valves in the heads of said cylinder and piston, means for reciprocating said cylinder on said piston, a base plate closing the end of said piston, said base plate being provided with a delivery passage for air compressed in the piston, and a coiled exit pipe of fine bore secured in said piston, some of said coils bearing against the wall of said piston, said pipe having both ends open and leading from the interior of said piston to said delivery passage in said base plate. I

14. In a tire-inflating apparatus, the combination of a carrier plate, an operating lever pivoted tosaid carrier plate, a pumping cylin-.

der having a head pivotally connected to said lever, an inner piston having a head at one end and abase plate at the other, said base plate being pivotally connected with said carrier plate, a non-return air valve in'said cylinder head, a non-return valve 1n said p1s-.

ton head, a main outlet passage in said base plate, a coiled exit pipe of fine bore located withinsaid piston, said fine bore exit pipe being open at one end and connected at the other end to said main outlet passage, an audible warning signal arranged in said baseplate, an anjustable pressure-relief valve, a conduit leading from said main outlet passage to said pressure-relief valve, a branch passage leading to an external nipple for delivery of compressed air, said branch passage and said conduit being in continuation of said main outlet passage, and a visible indicator including a pivoted lever mounted on the base plate, said lever connected with the adjustable pressure-relief valve in the base plate and working in conjunction with a graduated scale upon said base plate. 7

15. In a tire-inflating apparatus, the combination of a carrier plate, a pair of operatinglevers pivoted to said carrier plate, a cross head extending between said operating levers, a pumping cylinder having ahead pivotally connected with said cross head, rollers fitted on said cross head, springs acting upon said levers to return said levers through their inoperative stroke, said springs .bearing against said rollers, an inner piston having. a head at one end and a D-shaped base plate at the other, said base plate being pivotally connected with said carrier plate and having its straight side arranged transversely of the carrier plate, a non-return air-valve in said cylinder head, a non-return air-valve in said. piston head, a main outlet passage in said base plate, a coiled exit pipe of fine bore is located within said piston, said fine bore exit pipe being open at one end and having its other end leading to said main outlet passage, an audible warning signal arranged in said base. plate, an adjustable pressure-relief valve, a conduit leading from said main outlet passage to said pressure-relief valve, a branch passage leading to an external nipple for delivery of compressed air, said branch passage and said conduit being in continuation of said main outlet passage, and a visible indicator including a pivoted lever mounted on the base plate, said lever connected with the adjustable pressure relief valve and working in conjunction with a graduated scale upon said base plate.

Intestimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

ALFRED AUGUSTUS THOMAS CRESER. 

